Edwin fieth



(No Model.)

E. FIRTH.

` VBHICLEYAXLE. N0. 365,376. Patented June' 28, 1887. "M r (1y ZLJE@33131 @item1 ms UNITED STATES v PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN Eiern, on TROY, NEW YORK.

AVEHICLEEAXLE.

SPECIFICATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 365,376, dated .Tune28, 1887.

Application lcd December B, 1886.- Serial No. 221,002. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, EDWIN FIRTH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Troy, in the county of Rensselaer and State of New York,

tion, combination, and arrangement of parts,-

as will be hereinafter set forth, and particularly pointed out in theclaims. .l

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional viewthrough'a vehicle-axle, showing the axle box' and nut in section and thespindle in elevation. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the axle spindlewith the u box detached. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of axle fits in thegroove of the revolving thimble.

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the axle-box, to show more clearlytheconstruction of the kink or indentation at the threaded end thereof.Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing I the revolving thimble andWasher fitted on the reduced diameter end of the spindle before said endis swaged or riveted down to hold the washer in place. Fig. 8 is a'detail sectional view of the washer, show-ing the beveled front edge.Fig. 9 is a sectional View of a modification.

1 axle-box, showing a preferred mode of forming vdle B provided with theVusual oil groove or channel, C, designed to convey and diffuse oil overthe surface of the axle-box and the spin- Fig. 10 is an end View of thedle. At the junction of the axle proper with the spindle are the usualflanges and shoulders, against which shoulders the axle-box abuts, andwhichl iianges the box passes over and covers to provide intermediatespaces for the reception of packing material that serves to excludesand, dust, and other foreign matter from obtaining access to thespindles, as is well known. The axle-boxV D is provided with feathers aat or about this point, to engage with the hub and cause the axlebox torevolve with the hub.

To the constructionset forth aboveI lay no ,Claim, since such featuresare common in all axles. `My invention relates to more important partsof the axle where improvements are most needed, as will more fullyappear here- Y in'after.

The outer end of the axle-spindle Bis turned down and reduced indiameter at two points to form two shoulders, E F, the diameter of thespindle at the space between the shoulders E F being greater thanthediameter at the point between the shoulder F and the extreme outer endof the axle spindle. The shoulder F is abrupt, while the shoulder E,

though deeper than shoulder F, isv beveled or inclined, as clearly shownin Fig. 4.

G designates a revolving thimble, bored centrally to fit over thereduced diameter of the spindle in the space between the shoulders E F,the inner endr of the bore being beveled or fiared t-o lit the beveledor inclined portion ofthe shoulder E. The diameter 0f the thimble G issuch that when placed upon the reduced end of the spindle the outer faceot' the thimble will come iush with the normal diameter of the spindle.The thimble G on its exterior facev is formed with a plain portion, b,and a threaded portion, d, the diameter of the latter being somewhatless than the diameter of the`plain portion.

Over the second reduced portion of the axlespindle is slipped a plainwasher, H, (see Fig.

8,-) that is caused to fit in the space on the spindle between theshoulder F and the exor turning the edge of this end over, so as tooccupy the beveled or flaring portion e of the bore or opening in thewasher. Fig. 8 shows clearly the beveled or ilaring portion c in thewasher. Fig. 7 illustrates the position of the parts before the washeris riveted in place, while Figs. l and 2 show how the washer' isretained on the spindle by turning down or rounding off the edge of theprojecting spindle end. Though the washer is riveted in place, still itdoes not press against the thimblc to such an extentas to keep it fromturning. The thimble is allowed free movement at all times.

A channel, J, is cut from one side ofthe exterior face of the thimble,and this channel is wider at the plain portion b of the thimble than atthe threaded portion, as shown clearly in Fig. 2.

The axle-box D has its outer end threaded at f, and on one side of thisthreaded portion at the extreme end is formed a nib, kink, orindentation, K. This kink or indentation is formed by a suitablemachine, and is made by swaging or punching the threaded end f of theaxle-box at the point stated, this swaging or punching serving to forcethe meta-l of the box bodily inward beyond the plane of the inner boreof the box. (See Fig. 6.)

In some cases I prefer to make the kink or indentation on the axle-boxas follows: Before the outer end of the box is threaded I formon saidend a swell or enlargement lat the point where it is intended to makethe indentation.

This enlargement is shown in the end view, Fig. I0. This swell orenlarged portion is Aforced or swaged in to form the indentation, andthus when the threads are eut over the swell or enlargement, after thekink has been formed, it will be apparent that no groove or recess willshow on the outside face of the axlebox. The cutting of the threads willshear off any surplus metal left by the enlargement and leave the box asseen by the dotted lines, Fig. I0. Thus the kink or indentation will notbe seen from the outside, and cannot mar the appearance of the axlebox.

L designates a hollow steel drop-forged capnut, flanged at z' to bearagainst the end ofthe hub of the wheel when applied in position. Theinterior of the nut is formed with a double set of screw-threads, theouter threads, k, engaging the threadsf of the axle-box,while the innerthreads, l, engage the threaded portion d ofthe thimble G. Beyond thethreads Z the interior of the cap-nut is hollow, and forms a reservoirto contain oil to supply itto thesurface of the axle spindle and box.

As shown in Fig. l, I tit a rubber washerring, M, within the cap at theshouldered or drop portion m of the nut. The end of the axle-box bearsagainst this washer-ring, which :tits around the interior shoulder ofthe nut. Usually the outer ends of the axle-box are chipped or slightlyuneven,so that this washerring, being made of rubber and elastic, lls

these uneven places in the outer end of the axle-box, and thus makes theaxle perfectly liquidtight. Oil cannot possibly escape from the cap-nutand ooze out into the axle-box. I have found in practice that a leatherwasher will not answer. Only a rubber ring will answer for the purposesince it is elastic. Thus constructed the parts are applied by slippingthe axle-box over the spindle and turning it therein until the kink orindentation k of the box is caused to drop into the channel .I of thethimble, as shown clearly in the cross-sectional view, Fig. 5. Thecap-nut L, being supplied with the proper quantity of oil, is thenscrewed over the threaded end of the thimble G and the threaded partf ofthe axle-box until the parts are caused to assume the position shown inFig. 1.

The operation of my invention will be readily understood. Vhen in use,the contact of the hub with the flange t' of the cap-nut and thefeathers a of the axle-box causes the said axle-box and the nut -torevolve with the wheel, and since both the axle-box and the nut areconnected with the thimble it will be understood that all three partsare thus caused to revolve together. By this arrangement it will beunderstood that in my axle no nutcan casually turn off, as they revolvewith thev wheel, and, furthermore, there is no friction generatedbetween the axle-nut and the hub of the wheel. Oil cannot escape fromthe bearing, as it is always contained in the capnut. I have no plugs orStoppers to lose, such as are often found in self-luln'icating axles.The axlebox cannot possibly pull through the hub. Sand or grit isexcluded from the box, and the necessity' of providing a washer at thenut cud is obviated. The wheels need not rattle, as my improvement makesthem self-adjusting.

In my axle there will be no necessity of oiling two or three times aweek, as once every fourweeksis found sufficient. I\Iotwilhstainlv ingthese advantages, and the fact that the axle is equally adapted to lightor heavy loads, the cost of the axle is moderate and will well repay forthc slight advance over the common axles. The cap-nuts areinterchangeable, as all threads are right-hamiled, and should benickel-plated, so that they can be kept clean and neat.

In practice I case-harden the thimble and its washer in oil. In order toovercome any tendency of the thimble to wear by the endwise play of thethimble, I propose to counterbore the thimblc, as shown in Fig. .0, andlit over the reduced end of the spindle, between shoulders E F, a spiralspring, N, which spring is received within the counterbored portion ofthe thimble and bears against the shoulder formed therein, to push thethimble against the outer end of the axle-spindle. By this arrangementthe nut will take hold of the thimble and screw down a certain distancebefore the nut catches the box. The beveled or in clined portion of theshoulder Eef the spindle ros IIO

serves to give strength to the t-himble-journal. It will be understoodthat the channel J in the thimble serves two purposes. It forms abearing for the kink or indentation 7c of the axlebox, and prevents thethimble from turning during the withdrawal or replacing of the cap-nut.It also allows the oil to pass from the reservoir of the nut to the axlespindle, the oil from the channel .I passing up the t groove C anddiffusing itself over the surface of thespindle. By this means theexpense of cutting grooves in the nut is dispensed with. The cap-nutthus forms a double-nut all in one, which acts as aloek-nut, oil cup,and axlenut.

I confine myself to the use of rubber in constructing the washer M forthe cap-nut, as by practical test I have found that no other materialwill so well answer the purpose and effect an oil-tight joint betweenthe axle-nut and the axle-box.

In a former patent, No. 256,664, I obtained a broad claim" for aswiveled thinible connected to the axle-box; but in said patent thethiinble was threaded on its outer face from end to end, the axle boxand cap-nut being threaded to screw over the thimble. In the presentinvention the cap-nut, which also forms a reservoir for oil, screws overthe outer face of the thimble, and also over the outer end of theaxle-box. Again, an improved connection is employed between the axle-boxand 1. In an axle, the spindle having the re` volving thimble providedwith the groove or channel, combined with the axle-box having a nib,kink, or indentation to tit in the channel of the thimble, as set forth.

2. In an axle, the spindle provided with the spring-actuated revolvingthimble, combined with the axle-box to engage the thiinble and theaxle-nut to engage both the thimble and the axle-box, as set forth.

3. In an axle, the spindle having the revolving thimble provided withthe threaded portion, combined with the axle-box threaded at the outerend andthe cap-nut screwed over the threaded portion of the thimble andalso upon the threaded end of the axle-box, as set forth. 1

4. In an axle, the spindle having the revolving thinible provided withthe groove or channel and the threaded portion, combined with theaxle-box having the threaded outer end, and the nib, kink, orindentation to t in the channel of the thimble, and the cap-nut formingthe reservoir for oil, said nut screwing upon the thimble and also uponthe threaded outer end of the axle-box, as set forth. 5. In an axle, thespindle having thev reduced outer end, forming the two shoulders E F,combined with the thimble G, bored to t over the reduced end of thespindle between the shoulders E F, and a washer, H, to fit the spindlebetween the shoulder F andthe extreme outer end, said washer beingarranged outside the thimble, so as to bear against the outer end of thethimble, and held in place by riveting, as set forth.

6. The axle having the revolving thiinble G on the spindle,provided witha channel,J,and

an oil-,conducting groove, B, on the spindle,

combined with the axle-box and a cap-nut screwed upon the axle-box andhollowed out beyond the end of the thimble to forni a reservoir for oil,as set forth.

7. The axle having the revolving thimble G, combined with the axle-boxhaving the nib, kink, or indentation to bearagainst orengage thethirnble, as set forth.

8. The axlehaving the revolving thirnble G, provided with the groove orchannel J, as set forth.

9. The axle having the revolving thimble and the locking-washer IItherefor, the latter being providedwith the flaring or beveled portion eat the outer edge, for the purpose set forth.

10. In an axle, the spindle having th'e revolving thiinble having thethreaded portion,

in combination with the axle-box threaded at its outer end, and acap-nut screwed -upon the threaded portion of the thimble and also uponthe threaded portion o f the axlebox,and having an internal shoulder ordrop portion, m, t0 bear against the end of the axle-box,and a rubberring, M, Iitted within the nut against the shoulder in, so that theend-of the axlebox abnts against the ring, as set forth.

11. In an axle, the spindle Vhaving the revolving thimble, combined withthe axle-box having a connection with the thinible to cause the latterto turn with the axle-box, said axle-box having a threaded outer end,and the cap-nut screwed over the outer end of the axle-box, so as toturn with thesame,whereby the axle-box, thinible, and cap nut will allturn together, as set forth. Y

12. In an axle, the spindle having the revolving thimble, in combinationwith the axlebox provided with a threaded outer end and havingaconnection with the thimble, whereby the latter will turn with theaxle-box, andthe cap-nut, also having a connection with the thimble andscrewing over the threaded end of the axle-box, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedluy signature in presence of two witnesses.

Vitnesses: EDVIN FIRTH.

WILLiAM lsnNnUndH7 JonN P. KELLY.

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